Queen’s Greatest Hits has made UK chart history by becoming the first album ever to reach 6m sales, new figures show.
According to the Official Charts Company (OCC), the collection, which was released in 1981, is now owned by one in three British families or one in four British households.
The collection features many of Queen’s most-loved hits including We Will Rock You, Another One Bites The Dust and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Queen’s Brian May said: ‘Great news, amazing news from the OCC! Queen’s Greatest Hits which was released in 1981 has passed the 6m mark in sales, which is incredible. I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported us through the years, we hope to continue to serve you.’
Martin Talbot, chief executive of the OCC, added: ‘Becoming the first album to pass 6m sales is a quite incredible achievement by Queen and their iconic Greatest Hits album. Ever since it was first released in 1981, this package of classic pop and rock tracks has been an indispensable item in every music fan’s record collection – perhaps the definitive greatest hits album!'
Sales of the album digitally are also now increasing, having been downloaded 124,000 times in the UK to date.
ABBA’s Gold is the second biggest seller in the UK with 5.1m sales to date, closely followed by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles.
Last year Queen received a PRS for Music Heritage Award at Imperial College London at the site of their first gig.
Watch a video of the band’s Brian May and Roger Taylor receiving the award and an interview with the pair about the group’s early days.
According to the Official Charts Company (OCC), the collection, which was released in 1981, is now owned by one in three British families or one in four British households.
The collection features many of Queen’s most-loved hits including We Will Rock You, Another One Bites The Dust and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Queen’s Brian May said: ‘Great news, amazing news from the OCC! Queen’s Greatest Hits which was released in 1981 has passed the 6m mark in sales, which is incredible. I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported us through the years, we hope to continue to serve you.’
Martin Talbot, chief executive of the OCC, added: ‘Becoming the first album to pass 6m sales is a quite incredible achievement by Queen and their iconic Greatest Hits album. Ever since it was first released in 1981, this package of classic pop and rock tracks has been an indispensable item in every music fan’s record collection – perhaps the definitive greatest hits album!'
Sales of the album digitally are also now increasing, having been downloaded 124,000 times in the UK to date.
ABBA’s Gold is the second biggest seller in the UK with 5.1m sales to date, closely followed by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles.
Last year Queen received a PRS for Music Heritage Award at Imperial College London at the site of their first gig.
Watch a video of the band’s Brian May and Roger Taylor receiving the award and an interview with the pair about the group’s early days.
